13 October 2017

Choir

St Mary's, Sheffield - now a community centre
I have joined a non-religious choir. So far I have been to four Thursday night sessions. Perhaps ironically, these practice sessions are held in an old church that is no longer used for worship. It is now more of a community centre with a warren of rooms and corridors inside.

The choir has around thirty members. Three quarters of these are women. Most people have been with the choir for years. I think they were a bit surprised when I turned up out of the blue after visiting their website. Who is that guy? Is he a copper?

The songs we have been working on are all new to me. However, I have enjoyed those moments when the different voices have gelled  together in delicious harmonies. It's a good feeling to be part of something like that and I am starting to get used to the new songs and how the choir leader Janet breaks up sopranos, altos, tenors and the bass section to which I have gravitated.

The choir often performs in public but I haven't reached that point yet even though they keep saying - "You've got a great voice!" and "Come along!" etcetera.

The simplest song I have been learning is "You Won't Be Fracking Long" which is sung to the tune of "The Laughing Policeman". Instinctively, I am anti-fracking and I am disgusted by the bullying tactics used by government and fracking companies to push approvals through. Fracking is in my view a desperate, environmentally unfriendly way to squeeze yet more fossil fuel energy from our much-abused planet. It is surely not the way forward and I send out a cheer to the anti-fracking protesters at Kirby Misterton, North Yorkshire who are currently engaged in a long-running anti-fracking protest that has seen several local people arrested.

Here's The Red Leicester Choir singing that same song...

25 comments:

  1. I am envious. I've always wanted to join one but haven't got the confidence

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    1. Perhaps if you got drunk before the first session it would help.

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    2. John,
      The beauty of a choir is that you are supported by the crowd!

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    3. He'll need support if he's drunk.

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  2. Bravo to you for joining up! I sang with our faculty/staff choir a couple of times and it was an interesting experience. We didn't get to sing any anti-fracking tunes, though, as much as I would have liked to (and I agree with the sentiment).

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    1. I'm not fond of joining things but I thought - hey, I'm 64, love singing but rarely get to sing these days - maybe I should take the plunge so I have done.

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  3. That's a hilarious song on a serious topic. We've had our share of fracking in Canada, too, with disastrous results in one area at least - the water was made undrinkable AND flammable, actually flammable! water from a hose could be lit on fire! I was aghast to see that. Fracking has been put on hold in Nova Scotia but I sense it's only a matter of time before the government gets greedy and reverses that decision.

    Good for you for joining the group, and have fun!

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    1. Over here the fracking companies claim that there have been no significant issues with fracking in North America... but we know that's not true.

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    2. There have been quakes and tremors in areas of North America with fracking, where there were never any prior to fracking. I'm glad you're doing independent research, because the fracking companies aren't going to admit to any of the bad.

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  4. Anonymous9:28 pm

    The fracking song is great. I am so sure that the industry wishes they got in early with a different name for the fracking process.

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    1. They should have called it trumping. Trump is of course a big fan of fracking. Personally, I wish he would frack off.

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  5. It's a very positive experience to learn something new. I applaud you for stepping out and doing something new

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    1. Thanks for the encouragement Red. Appreciated.

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  6. I hope you enjoy it! The sense of community you get in a choir or band is great

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    1. I hope we sing "Waltzing Matilda". I have always liked that song. Also "The Band Played WAlazing Matilda".

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    2. The Band Played Waltzing Matilda is excruciating. I suppose it is meant to be.

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    3. I was referring to "The Band Played WAlazing Matilda" (Hee-hee!)

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  7. Me, join a choir? Not fracking likely!

    Me join a club or any kind? Not fracking likely!!

    Start collecting your sixpences, Yorkie...you'll be on your way to a billion! :)

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    1. I'm not usually one for joining anything Lee but I wanted to sing!

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    2. And good for you for doing what you felt like doing, Yorkie.

      I meant no offence...I was just kidding around. I'm sure you will enjoy the choir very much. I love the sound of choirs...and I always love watching them when they go on the various "....Got Talent" shows. They can be very moving.

      In truth, I am not a "group/club" person...but that's just me. We're not all the same...thank goodness! :)

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    3. I can imagine you as the soloist for The Tamborine Mountain Choral Society, dressed like Nelly Melba and the audience hushed as you launch into... "I Ain't Nothing But a Hound Dog".

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    4. Hahahahahaha!

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  8. I hope you have a wonderful time with your new adventure. You are really living life after 60 to the fullest. They tell us that we should make new friends, try new things, become a social butterfly. First the painting and now the singing. Good for you! Best of luck. Your brain thanks you.

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    1. I am conscious that the years are running out and that I have wasted so much time. Thank you for your kind encouragement.

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  9. you'll be on your way to a billion! :)


    แตกใน xxx

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